كَتَبَwrote المَشِيبُgray hair بأَبْيَضٍin white فيin أَسْوَدblack
كَتَبَ المَشِيبُ بأَبْيَضٍ في أَسْوَد
بغْضاءَestrangement ماwhat بَينيbetween me وبينَand between الخُرَّدِthe secluded maidens
بغْضاءَ ما بَيني وبينَ الخُرَّدِ
Gray hair wrote, in white upon black,
The white of old age wrote in black
The estrangement between me and the secluded maidens.
The hatred between me and the mole
خَجِلَتْblushed عُيُونُeyes الحُورِthe fair-eyed beauties حِينَwhen وصَفْتُهاI described them
خَجِلَتْ عُيُونُ الحُورِ حِينَ وصَفْتُها
وصْفَthe description of المَشيبِgray hair وقُلْنَand they said لِيto me لاdo not تَبْعَدِdepart
وصْفَ المَشيبِ وقُلْنَ لِي لا تَبْعَدِ
The eyes of the fair-eyed beauties blushed when I described them
The eyes of the maidens were shy when I described them
As I described gray hair, and they said to me, “Do not depart.”
The description of old age, and they said to me, do not go far
ولِذاكَand for that reason أَظْهَرَتِshe showed انْكِسَارَthe downcast look of جُفُونهاher eyelids
ولِذاكَ أَظْهَرَتِ انْكِسَارَ جُفُونها
دَعْدٌDa‘d وآذَنَand announced خَدُّهاher cheek بِتَوَرُّدِa rosy blush
دَعْدٌ وآذَنَ خَدُّها بِتَوَرُّدِ
That is why she showed the downcast look of her eyelids—
So their eyelids showed their humility
Da‘d—and her cheek announced its rosy blush.
Bashfulness, and their cheeks showed blushing
ياO جِدَّةَnewness of الشَّيْبِgray hair الَّتِيwhich ماnot غادَرَتleft
يا جِدَّةَ الشَّيْبِ الَّتِي ما غادَرَت
لِنُفُوسِناfor our souls مِنْany لَذَّةٍpleasure بمجدَّدِrenewed
لِنُفُوسِنا مِنْ لَذَّةٍ بمجدَّدِ
O newness of gray hair, which has left
O old age that did not leave
No renewed pleasure for our souls!
For our souls any pleasure renewed
ذَهَبdeparted الشَّبابُyouth وسَوْفَand shall أذْهَبُI depart مِثْلَماjust as
ذَهَب الشَّبابُ وسَوْفَ أذْهَبُ مِثْلَما
ذَهَبَdeparted الشبابُyouth وماand not امرؤٌa person بِمُخَلَّدِimmortal
ذَهَبَ الشبابُ وما امرؤٌ بِمُخَلَّدِ
Youth has departed, and I too shall depart just as
Youth has passed and I will pass like
Youth departed; no man lives forever.
Youth passed, and no person lives forever
إنَّindeed الفَنَاءَannihilation لكلِّfor every حَيٍّliving being غايَةٌan end
إنَّ الفَنَاءَ لكلِّ حَيٍّ غايَةٌ
مَحْتُومَةٌinevitably decreed إنْif لَمْnot يَكُنْit has occurred فكأَنْthen as though قَدِalready
مَحْتُومَةٌ إنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فكأَنْ قَدِ
Annihilation is the end of every living being,
For every living, death is a prescribed
Inevitably decreed; if it has not come, it is as though it had.
Destiny, if it does not happen it is as if it has
وارَحْمَتاalas لِمُصَوِّرٍfor a fashioned being مَتَطَوِّرever changing
وارَحْمَتا لِمُصَوِّرٍ مَتَطَوِّر
فيin كلِّevery طَوْرٍstage صورَةَthe form of المُتَردِّدِone who wavers
في كلِّ طَوْرٍ صورَةَ المُتَردِّدِ
Alas for a fashioned being, ever changing
And pity the painter progressing
At every stage into the form of one who wavers!
In every stage painting the image of the hesitant
قَذَفَتْcast بهhim أَيْدِيthe hands of النَّوَىseparation مِنْfrom حالِقٍa lofty height
قَذَفَتْ به أَيْدِي النَّوَى مِنْ حالِقٍ
سامِيexalted in المَحَلِّstation إلىto الحَضيضِthe depths الأوهَدِthe lowest
سامِي المَحَلِّ إلى الحَضيضِ الأوهَدِ
The hands of separation cast him from a lofty height,
It threw him with the hands of time from a summit
An exalted station, into the lowest depths.
Of high status to the lowest abyss
مُسْتَوْحِشٍestranged فِيin أُنْسِهِhis familiarity مُتعاهِدٍcontinually renewing
مُسْتَوْحِشٍ فِي أُنْسِهِ مُتعاهِدٍ
بحنِينِهِthrough his yearning شَوْقَاًlonging لأَوَّلِfor the earliest مَعْهَدٍabode
بحنِينِهِ شَوْقَاً لأَوَّلِ مَعْهَدٍ
Estranged amid his familiarity, continually renewing
Feeling lonely in his company, yearning
Through his yearning a longing for his earliest abode.
For his first place of dwelling
مَنَعَتْهُprevented him أَسبابٌcircumstances لَدَيْهِaround him رجُوعَهُhis return
مَنَعَتْهُ أَسبابٌ لَدَيْهِ رجُوعَهُ
فاشتاقَso he longed للأَوْطانfor the homelands شَوْقَwith the longing of مُقَيَّدِa captive
فاشتاقَ للأَوْطان شَوْقَ مُقَيَّدِ
Circumstances surrounding him prevented his return,
Reasons for him prevented his return
So he longed for his homelands with a captive’s longing.
So he longed for the homelands, the longing of the tied
ياO لَيْتَهُwould that he لَوْif only دامَremained نَسْياًa forgotten thing ماnot لَهُfor him
يا لَيْتَهُ لَوْ دامَ نَسْياً ما لَهُ
مِنْany ذاكِرٍone remembering أوْor أنهُthat he لمnot يُولَدِwas born
مِنْ ذاكِرٍ أوْ أنهُ لم يُولَدِ
Would that he had remained a forgotten thing, with no one
If only he had remained forgetting what
To remember him, or that he had never been born!
Rememberer he has or that he was not born
حَمَلَbore الهَوَىpassion جَهْلاًin ignorance بأَثْقَالِof the burdens of الهَوَىpassion
حَمَلَ الهَوَى جَهْلاً بأَثْقَالِ الهَوَى
مُسْتَنْجِداًseeking aid بعزيمةٍfrom a resolve لمnot تُنْجِدِgave aid
مُسْتَنْجِداً بعزيمةٍ لم تُنْجِدِ
He bore passion, ignorant of passion’s burdens,
He carried love ignorantly with burdens of love
Seeking aid from a resolve that gave no aid.
Seeking help from determination that did not help
ماnot إنْindeed يَزالُceases بماwith what تَكَلَّفَhe undertook حَمْلَهُto carry it
ما إنْ يَزالُ بما تَكَلَّفَ حَمْلَهُ
فيin خُطَّتَيtwo courses of خَسْفٍhumiliation يَرُوحُpasses the evening وَيَغْتَدِيand passes the morning
في خُطَّتَي خَسْفٍ يَرُوحُ وَيَغْتَدِي
With what he undertook to carry, he continually
It will not cease to carry what it took upon itself
Passes evening and morning between two courses of humiliation:
In the path of two chasms coming and going
غَرضاًa target لأَمْرٍfor a decree لاnot تَطيشُmiss سِهامُهُits arrows
غَرضاً لأَمْرٍ لا تَطيشُ سِهامُهُ
ومُعَرَّضاًand exposed لِمُعَنِّفٍto a rebuker ومُفَنِّدِand a faultfinder
ومُعَرَّضاً لِمُعَنِّفٍ ومُفَنِّدِ
A target for a decree whose arrows never miss,
A target for something whose arrows do not err
And exposed to one who rebukes and one who finds fault.
And exposed to an assailant and contradictor
وَخَلِيفَةٍand a vicegerent فيin الأرضِthe earth إِلَّاexcept أنَّهthat he
وَخَلِيفَةٍ في الأرضِ إِلَّا أنَّه
مُتَوَعِّدٌunder threat فيهاin it وعيدَwith the threat against الهُدْهُدِthe hoopoe
مُتَوَعِّدٌ فيها وعيدَ الهُدْهُدِ
A vicegerent upon the earth, except that he
And a successor on earth but he
Is threatened there as the hoopoe was threatened.
Threatens it with the threat of the hoopoe
وَجَبَwas required السُّجُودُprostration لهُbefore him فلماbut when أنْthat عصىhe disobeyed
وَجَبَ السُّجُودُ لهُ فلما أنْ عصى
قالتsaid خطيئَتُهُhis sin لهُto him اركعْbow واسْجُدِand prostrate
قالت خطيئَتُهُ لهُ اركعْ واسْجُدِ
Prostration before him was required; but when he disobeyed,
And prostration was due to Him but when he disobeyed
His sin said to him, “Bow and prostrate.”
His sin said to him bow down and prostrate
وَنَبَتْand rejected بهhim الأوطانthe homelands فهْوَso he بِغُرْبَةٍin exile
وَنَبَتْ به الأوطان فهْوَ بِغُرْبَةٍ
ماamid بينَbetween أعداءٍenemies يَسيرُwalks وحُسَّدِand envious men
ما بينَ أعداءٍ يَسيرُ وحُسَّدِ
His homelands rejected him, and now, in exile,
And the homelands sprouted in him so he is
He walks among enemies and envious men.
In estrangement, traveling between enemies and enviers
أنفاسهhis breaths تُحصَىare counted عليهagainst him وعلمand knowledge of ماwhat
أنفاسه تُحصَى عليه وعلم ما
يفضىhe comes إليهto it غداtomorrow لهfor it حُكمُthe rule of الغدِtomorrow
يفضى إليه غدا له حُكمُ الغدِ
His breaths are counted against him, and knowledge of what
His breaths are counted against him and he knows what
He comes to tomorrow is subject to tomorrow.
The tomorrow leads to, for him the rule of tomorrow
أبَداًalways تَرَاهُyou see him واجِداًpossessing أَوْor عادِماًlacking
أبَداً تَرَاهُ واجِداً أَوْ عادِماً
فيin حَيْرَةٍbewilderment لَقْطَاتُهاits lost finds لمnot تُنْشَدِwere announced
في حَيْرَةٍ لَقْطَاتُها لم تُنْشَدِ
You always see him, possessing or lacking,
You see him always either forfeiting or gaining
In bewilderment whose lost finds have not been announced.
In confusion, its snatches were not composed
يُمسِيpasses the evening ويُصْبِحُand passes the morning مُتْهِماًgoing to Tihamah أَوْor مُنْجِداًgoing to Najd
يُمسِي ويُصْبِحُ مُتْهِماً أَوْ مُنْجِداً
لِمعادِهِtoward his final return معَwith مُتْهِمٍone going to Tihamah أَوْor مُنْجِدِone going to Najd
لِمعادِهِ معَ مُتْهِمٍ أَوْ مُنْجِدِ
Evening and morning find him going to Tihamah or Najd,
He sleeps and wakes suspecting or supporting
Toward his final return, with another going to Tihamah or Najd.
His return, with another suspecting or supporting
يَرْمِيcasts بهhim سَهْلاًon smooth ground وَوَعْراًand rough ground زاجِراًdriving harshly
يَرْمِي به سَهْلاً وَوَعْراً زاجِراً
بَطْنُthe face of المِسَنِّthe whetstone بهto him كَظَهْرِlike the back of المِبْرَدِthe file
بَطْنُ المِسَنِّ به كَظَهْرِ المِبْرَدِ
He is cast across smooth ground and rough, driven harshly;
It throws him on easy and difficult terrain
The face of the whetstone is to him like the back of a file.
The abdomen of the years with him like the back of the smoothed
مُتَخَوِّفاًfearful منهthrough it المصيرَof arrival لِمَنْزِلٍat a dwelling
مُتَخَوِّفاً منه المصيرَ لِمَنْزِلٍ
مُسْتَوْبِلunhealthy in المَرْعَىpasture وبيلruinous in المَوْرِدِwatering place
مُسْتَوْبِل المَرْعَى وبيل المَوْرِدِ
Fearing through it his arrival at a dwelling
Warning him of the fate to a house
With unhealthy pasture and a ruinous watering place.
Receiving pasture and torrents
ماnot إنْindeed رأىsaw الجانيthe sinner بهthere أَعْمالَهhis deeds
ما إنْ رأى الجاني به أَعْمالَه
إِلَّاexcept that تَمَنَّىhe wished أنَّهthat he لَمnot يولَدِhad been born
إِلَّا تَمَنَّى أنَّه لَم يولَدِ
No sooner does the sinner see his deeds there
When the sinner saw his deeds through it
Than he wishes he had never been born.
He wished that he was not born
حَسْبيsufficient for me لَهُagainst it حُبُّlove of النبيِّthe Prophet وآلِهِand his family
حَسْبي لَهُ حُبُّ النبيِّ وآلِهِ
عِنْدَbefore الإِلهِGod وسيلَةًan intercession لَمْnot تُرْدَدِrejected
عِنْدَ الإِلهِ وسيلَةً لَمْ تُرْدَدِ
Sufficient for me against this is love of the Prophet and his family,
Sufficient for him is the love of the Prophet and his family
An intercession before God that is not rejected.
With God and an unfailing means of approach
فإذاso if أجَبْتَyou answer سؤالَهَhis request فِيconcerning آلِهِhis family
فإذا أجَبْتَ سؤالَهَ فِي آلِهِ
سَلask تُعْطَyou will be given واسْتَمْدِدand seek help فَلاحاًsuccess تُمْدَدِyou will be helped
سَل تُعْطَ واسْتَمْدِد فَلاحاً تُمْدَدِ
If you answer his request concerning his family,
So if you answer his question about his family
Ask and receive; seek help toward success and be helped.
Ask and you will be given and seek help and you will be helped
وأْمَنْand be secure إذاwhen قامَtakes النبيُّthe Prophet مَقَامَهُhis station الthe
وأْمَنْ إذا قامَ النبيُّ مَقَامَهُ ال
مَحْمُودَpraised فيin الأمرِthe affair المُقيمِthat raises المُقْعِدِthat seats
مَحْمُودَ في الأمرِ المُقيمِ المُقْعِدِ
And be secure when the Prophet takes his station—the
And feel safe when the Prophet takes his praiseworthy
Praised one—in the affair that raises and seats men.
Stand for the affair of eternity and permanence
وتَزَوَّدِand take as provision التَّقْوَىpiety فإنbut if لمnot تستطعْyou can
وتَزَوَّدِ التَّقْوَى فإن لم تستطعْ
فمِنَthen from الصلاةinvoking blessings علىupon النبيِّthe Prophet تَزَوَّدِtake provision
فمِنَ الصلاة على النبيِّ تَزَوَّدِ
Take piety as your provision; if you cannot,
And take provision of piety, and if you cannot
Then take blessings upon the Prophet as your provision.
Then with prayers upon the Prophet take provision
صلّىmay bless عليهhim اللَّهُGod إنindeed صلاةَthe prayer of مَنْwhoever
صلّى عليه اللَّهُ إن صلاةَ مَنْ
صلّىinvokes blessings عليهupon him ذَخيرةٌa treasure لمnot تَنْفَدِexhausted
صلّى عليه ذَخيرةٌ لم تَنْفَدِ
May God bless him; indeed, the prayer of whoever
Prayers upon him, the prayers of one
Invokes blessings upon him is a treasure never exhausted.
Who prays upon him are a treasure never depleted
واسمَعْand hear مَدائحَpraises of آلِthe family of بيتِthe household of المصطفىthe Chosen One
واسمَعْ مَدائحَ آلِ بيتِ المصطفى
مِنىfrom me ودونَكَand behold جَمْعُهاtheir gathering فيin المُفرَدِa single man
مِنى ودونَكَ جَمْعُها في المُفرَدِ
Hear from me praises of the Chosen One’s household,
And listen to the praises of the Household of the Chosen
And behold their gathering in a single man:
From me and around you, their collection in the individual
صِنوُthe counterpart of النبيِّthe Prophet أَخُوthe brother of النبيِّthe Prophet وزِيرُهُhis minister
صِنوُ النبيِّ أَخُو النبيِّ وزِيرُهُ
وَوَليُّهُand his ally فِيin كلِّevery خَطْبٍcrisis مُؤْيِدِformidable
وَوَليُّهُ فِي كلِّ خَطْبٍ مُؤْيِدِ
The Prophet’s counterpart, the Prophet’s brother, his minister,
The Prophet's sword, the Prophet's brother, his minister
And his ally in every formidable crisis.
And his guardian in every addressed matter, supported
جَدُّthe ancestor of الإِمامِthe Imam الشَّاذِليِّal-Shadhili المُنْتَميtracing descent
جَدُّ الإِمامِ الشَّاذِليِّ المُنْتَمي
شَرَفاًnobly إليهِto him لِسَيِّدِto a master عَنْfrom سَيِّدِa master
شَرَفاً إليهِ لِسَيِّدِ عَنْ سَيِّدِ
The ancestor of Imam al-Shadhili, who traces
The grandfather of Imam Shadhili belonging
His noble descent to him, master from master.
To him in nobility, from the master of masters
أسماؤُهمtheir names عِشْرُونَtwenty دُونَless ثَلاثَةٍthree
أسماؤُهم عِشْرُونَ دُونَ ثَلاثَةٍ
جاءتْcame علىin نَسَقٍa sequence كأحْرُفٍlike the letters of أَبْجَدِAbjad
جاءتْ على نَسَقٍ كأحْرُفٍ أَبْجَدِ
Their names are twenty less three,
Their names are twenty minus three
Arranged in sequence like the letters of Abjad.
Arranged like the letters of the Arabic alphabet
لِعلِيّto Ali الحَسَنُal-Hasan انْتَمَىtraced descent لِمُحمَّدٍto Muhammad
لِعلِيّ الحَسَنُ انْتَمَى لِمُحمَّدٍ
عيسىIsa وسِرُّand the secret of مُحَمَّدٍMuhammad فيin أَحْمَدِAhmad
عيسى وسِرُّ مُحَمَّدٍ في أَحْمَدِ
Al-Hasan traced his descent to Ali; to Muhammad,
To Ali is attributed Hasan from Muhammad
Isa; and Muhammad’s secret is in Ahmad.
Jesus and Muhammad's secret in Ahmed
وَاخْتارَand chose بَطَّالٌBattal لِورْدٍfor Wird يُوشَعاًYusha
وَاخْتارَ بَطَّالٌ لِورْدٍ يُوشَعاً
وبِيُوسُفٍand with Yusuf وافَىcame قُصَيٌّQusay يَقْتَدِيfollowing
وبِيُوسُفٍ وافَى قُصَيٌّ يَقْتَدِي
Battal chose Yusha for Wird,
And Battal chose for his disciple Yu'shua
And with Yusuf came Qusay, following his lead.
And with Yusuf complied Qussay following
وبِحاتمٍand through Hatim فُتِحَتْwas opened سِيادَةُthe lordship of هُرْمُزٍHurmuz
وبِحاتمٍ فُتِحَتْ سِيادَةُ هُرْمُزٍ
وغَداand came to تَمِيمٌTamim لِلْمَكَارِمِtoward noble deeds يَهْتَدِيfind his way
وغَدا تَمِيمٌ لِلْمَكَارِمِ يَهْتَدِي
Through Hatim, Hurmuz’s lordship was opened,
And with Hatim the mastery of Hormuz opened
And Tamim came to find his way toward noble deeds.
And Tammim began to be guided by generosity
وبِعَبْدِand through Abd جَبَّارِal-Jabbar of السمواتِthe heavens انْتَضَىhe unsheathed
وبِعَبْدِ جَبَّارِ السمواتِ انْتَضَى
لِلْفَضْلِfor excellence عبدAbd اللَّهِAllah أيَّwhat a مُهَنَّدِIndian-forged blade
لِلْفَضْلِ عبد اللَّهِ أيَّ مُهَنَّدِ
And through Abd al-Jabbar of the heavens, he drew
And with the worshipper of the heavens was adorned
For excellence—Abd Allah—a splendid Indian-forged blade.
The excellence of Abdullah, which of the two luminaries is more guided
وأتَىand came عَليٌّAli فيin العُلاeminence يَتْلُوهمfollowing them
وأتَى عَليٌّ في العُلا يَتْلُوهم
فاختِمْso conclude بهwith him سُوَرَthe chapters of العُلاeminence والسُّؤْدُدِand lordship
فاختِمْ به سُوَرَ العُلا والسُّؤْدُدِ
Ali came after them in exalted rank,
And came Ali at the peak succeeding them
So conclude with him the chapters of eminence and lordship.
So seal the chapters of the peak and the permanence
أعْنِيI mean أَباAbu الحَسَنِal-Hasan الإِمامَthe Imam المُجْتَبَىthe chosen
أعْنِي أَبا الحَسَنِ الإِمامَ المُجْتَبَى
مِنْfrom هَاشِمٍHashim والشَّاذِليَّand Shadhili in المَوْلِدِbirthplace
مِنْ هَاشِمٍ والشَّاذِليَّ المَوْلِدِ
I mean Abu al-Hasan, the chosen Imam,
I mean, Abu Al-Hasan, the Imam Al-Mujtaba
Of Hashim, and Shadhili by birthplace.
Of Hashim and Shadhili the birth
إنَّindeed الإِمامَthe Imam الشَّاذِليَّal-Shadhili طَرِيقُهُhis path
إنَّ الإِمامَ الشَّاذِليَّ طَرِيقُهُ
فِيin الفَضْلِexcellence واضحَةٌclear لِعَيْنِto the eye of المُهْتَدِيthe rightly guided
فِي الفَضْلِ واضحَةٌ لِعَيْنِ المُهْتَدِي
Indeed, Imam al-Shadhili’s path
Indeed, the way of Imam Shadhili
In excellence is clear to the eye of the rightly guided.
In excellence is clear to the eye of the guided
فانْقُلْso move ولوْeven if قَدَماًone foot عَلَىalong آثارِهِhis tracks
فانْقُلْ ولوْ قَدَماً عَلَى آثارِهِ
فإذَاso if فَعَلْتَyou do فَذاكَthen that one آخَذُtakes بالْيَدِby the hand
فإذَا فَعَلْتَ فَذاكَ آخَذُ بالْيَدِ
Move even one foot along his tracks;
So move even if a step in his footsteps
If you do, he will take you by the hand.
For if you do so, that is seizing the hand
واسْلُكْand follow طَرِيقَthe path of مُحَمَّدِيِّone Muhammadan in شَرِيعَةٍsacred law
واسْلُكْ طَرِيقَ مُحَمَّدِيِّ شَرِيعَةٍ
وَحَقِيقةٍand reality ومُحَمَّديِّand Muhammadan in المَحْتِدِancestry
وَحَقِيقةٍ ومُحَمَّديِّ المَحْتِدِ
Follow the path of one Muhammadan in sacred law
And take the way of the Muhammadan path
And reality, and Muhammadan in ancestry.
And reality, and the Muhammadan well-guided
مِنْfrom كلِّevery ناحِيَةٍdirection سَنَاهُhis radiance يَلوحُshines مِنfrom
مِنْ كلِّ ناحِيَةٍ سَنَاهُ يَلوحُ مِن
مِصْبَاحِa lamp of نورِthe light of نُبُوَّةٍprophethood مُتَوَقِّدِblazing
مِصْبَاحِ نورِ نُبُوَّةٍ مُتَوَقِّدِ
From every direction his radiance shines from
From every side, his sunna appears shining from
A blazing lamp of prophetic light.
The lamp of the light of prophecy ignited
فَتْحٌan opening أتىcame طُوفانُهُits flood بِمَعَارِفٍwith spiritual knowledge
فَتْحٌ أتى طُوفانُهُ بِمَعَارِفٍ
تَنُّورُهاits oven جُودِيُّthe Judi of كلِّevery مُوَحِّدِbeliever in God's oneness
تَنُّورُها جُودِيُّ كلِّ مُوَحِّدِ
An opening whose flood brought spiritual knowledge,
An opening whose flood came with knowledges
Whose oven is the Judi of every believer in God’s oneness.
Lit by the generosity of every monotheist
قدalready نالَattained غَايَةَthe utmost of ماwhat يَرُومُdesires المُنْتَهِيthe accomplished seeker
قد نالَ غَايَةَ ما يَرُومُ المُنْتَهِي
مِنْfrom رَبِّهِhis Lord وَلهُand he has اجتهادُthe striving of المُبْتَدِيthe beginner
مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَلهُ اجتهادُ المُبْتَدِي
He has attained the utmost that the accomplished seeker desires
He attained the ultimate of what the arriver seeks
From his Lord, yet retains the beginner’s striving.
From his Lord and his striving is that of the beginner
مُتَمَكِّنٌfirmly established فيin كلِّevery مَشْهَدِvision of دَهْشَةٍbewilderment
مُتَمَكِّنٌ في كلِّ مَشْهَدِ دَهْشَةٍ
أَوْor وَقْفَةٍhalting place ماnot فَوْقَهَاbeyond it مِنْany مَشْهَدِvision
أَوْ وَقْفَةٍ ما فَوْقَهَا مِنْ مَشْهَدِ
Firmly established in every vision of bewilderment,
Firm in every scene of bewilderment
Or halting place beyond which no vision lies.
Or pause, none above it in scene
مَنْone who لاno مَقَامَstation لَهُhas فإنَّfor indeed كمالَهُhis perfection
مَنْ لا مَقَامَ لَهُ فإنَّ كمالَهُ
لِلنَّاسِto people يُرْجِعُهُreturns him رُجُوعَwith the return of مُقَلِّدِan imitator
لِلنَّاسِ يُرْجِعُهُ رُجُوعَ مُقَلِّدِ
One who has no fixed station—his perfection
One who has no state, his perfection
Returns him to people like an imitator.
Returns to people, the return of the imitator
قُلْsay لِلْمُحَاوِلِto one attempting فيin الدُّنُوِّapproaching مَقَامَهُhis station
قُلْ لِلْمُحَاوِلِ في الدُّنُوِّ مَقَامَهُ
ماnot العَبْدُthe servant عندَbefore اللَّهِGod كالمُتَعَبِّدِlike the devotee
ما العَبْدُ عندَ اللَّهِ كالمُتَعَبِّدِ
Tell the one attempting to approach his station:
Tell the aspirant in the lowly his station
The servant before God is not like the mere devotee.
The servant with God is not like the worshipper
وَالفضلُand grace ليسَnot يَنالُهُattains it مُتَوَسِّلٌone seeking access
وَالفضلُ ليسَ يَنالُهُ مُتَوَسِّلٌ
بِتَوَرُّعٍthrough scrupulousness حَرِجٍconstricted وَلاnor بِتَزَهُّدِthrough ascetic practice
بِتَوَرُّعٍ حَرِجٍ وَلا بِتَزَهُّدِ
Grace is not attained by one seeking it
And excellence cannot be attained by one beseeching
Through constricted scrupulousness or ascetic practice.
With intense piety or asceticism
إنْif قَالَhe says ذاكَthat هُوَit الدَّوَاءُthe remedy فَقُلْthen say لهُto him
إنْ قَالَ ذاكَ هُوَ الدَّوَاءُ فَقُلْ لهُ
كُحْلُthe kohl of الصَّحِيحِthe healthy-eyed خِلافَunlike كُحْلِthe kohl of الأرْمَدِthe sore-eyed
كُحْلُ الصَّحِيحِ خِلافَ كُحْلِ الأرْمَدِ
If he says, “That is the remedy,” tell him:
If he says that is the cure, tell him
The healthy eye’s kohl differs from the sore eye’s kohl.
The kohl of the sound unlike the kohl of the bleary
يَمْشيwalks المُصَرِّفُthe one empowered to act حيثُwherever شَاءَhe wishes وغيْرُهُand another
يَمْشي المُصَرِّفُ حيثُ شَاءَ وغيْرُهُ
يمشِيwalks بحُكْمِunder the rule of الحَجْرِrestriction حُكْمَin the condition of مُصَفَّدِa chained man
يمشِي بحُكْمِ الحَجْرِ حُكْمَ مُصَفَّدِ
The one empowered to act walks wherever he wishes; another
The dispenser walks wherever he wishes while others
Walks under restriction, like a man in chains.
Walk by the ruling of stone, the ruling of the fettered
مَنْone who كانَis منكَfrom you بمنْظَرٍwithin sight وَبِمَسْمَعٍand within hearing
مَنْ كانَ منكَ بمنْظَرٍ وَبِمَسْمَعٍ
أيُحَالُis one referred away منهfrom him عَلَىto حدِيثٍa report مُسْنَدِwith a transmission chain
أيُحَالُ منه عَلَى حدِيثٍ مُسْنَدِ
One who is within your sight and hearing—
Whoever of you has insight and hearing
Would you turn from him to a report transmitted through a chain?
Can the discourse of the supported be referred to him?
لِكِلَيْهِمَاfor both of them الحُسْنَىthe finest reward وَإنْand though لمnot يَسْتَوُواthey are equal
لِكِلَيْهِمَا الحُسْنَى وَإنْ لم يَسْتَوُوا
فيin رُتْبَةٍrank فَقَدyet already اسْتَوَوْاthey are equal فيin الموْعِدِthe promise
في رُتْبَةٍ فَقَد اسْتَوَوْا في الموْعِدِ
For both is the finest reward; though they are not equal
For both the finest, even if not equal
In rank, they are equal in the promise.
In rank, they are equal in appointment
كلٌّeach لِماfor what شاءwills الإِلهُGod مُيَسَّرenabled
كلٌّ لِما شاء الإِلهُ مُيَسَّر
والنَّاسُand people بَيْنَbetween مُقَرَّبone brought near وَمُشَرَّدِand one driven away
والنَّاسُ بَيْنَ مُقَرَّب وَمُشَرَّدِ
Each is enabled for what God wills,
Each facilitated for what God wills
And people are either brought near or driven away.
And people between drawn near and outcast
وإذَاand when تَحَقَّقَتِis assured العنايَةُdivine care فاسْتَرِحْthen rest
وإذَا تَحَقَّقَتِ العنايَةُ فاسْتَرِحْ
وإذَاand when تَخَلَّفَتِfalls short العنايةُdivine care فاجْهَدِthen strive
وإذَا تَخَلَّفَتِ العنايةُ فاجْهَدِ
When divine care is assured, rest;
And when care is realized, then be comforted
When divine care falls short, strive.
And when care is absent, then strive
أَفْدِيI would ransom عَلِيّاًAli فيin الوجودِexistence وَكلُّنَاand all of us
أَفْدِي عَلِيّاً في الوجودِ وَكلُّنَا
بِوُجودِهِthrough his existence مِنْfrom كلِّevery سوءٍevil نَفْتَدِيransom ourselves
بِوُجودِهِ مِنْ كلِّ سوءٍ نَفْتَدِي
I would ransom Ali in this existence; all of us
I sacrifice Ali in existence, and all of us
Through his existence ransom ourselves from every evil.
Through his existence are saved from every evil
قُطْبُthe pole of الزَّمانِthe age وغَوْثُهُand its succor وإمامُهُand its imam
قُطْبُ الزَّمانِ وغَوْثُهُ وإمامُهُ
عَيْنُthe essence of الوجُودِexistence لسانُthe tongue of سِرِّthe secret of المُوجِدِthe Creator
عَيْنُ الوجُودِ لسانُ سِرِّ المُوجِدِ
The pole of the age, its succor and its imam,
The axis of time, its succor, and its imam
The essence of existence, the tongue of the Creator’s secret.
The essence of existence, the tongue of the secret of the Creator
سادَsurpassed الرِّجالَthe men فَقَصَّرَتْso fell short عَنْof شَأْوِهِhis reach
سادَ الرِّجالَ فَقَصَّرَتْ عَنْ شَأْوِهِ
هِمَمُthe aspirations of المُؤَوِّبِthe daytime traveler لِلْعُلاtoward the heights وَالمُسْئِدِand the nighttime traveler
هِمَمُ المُؤَوِّبِ لِلْعُلا وَالمُسْئِدِ
He surpassed the men, and fell short of his reach
He surpassed all men, so the ambitions
The aspirations of those journeying toward the heights by day and night.
Of the eloquent fell short of his glory and sublimity
فَتَلَقَّso receive ماwhat يُلْقِيhe conveys إليكَto you فَنُطْقُهُfor his speech
فَتَلَقَّ ما يُلْقِي إليكَ فَنُطْقُهُ
نُطْقٌspeech بِرُوحِthrough the Spirit of القُدْسِHoliness أَيُّwhat a مُؤَيِّدِsupporter
نُطْقٌ بِرُوحِ القُدْسِ أَيُّ مُؤَيِّدِ
Receive what he conveys to you, for his speech
Receive what he conveys to you, his speech
Is speech sustained by the Holy Spirit—what a support!
Is by the Spirit of Holiness, O aided
إمَّاif مَرَرْتَyou pass علىby مكانِthe place of ضَرِيحِهِhis tomb
إمَّا مَرَرْتَ على مكانِ ضَرِيحِهِ
وَشَمِمْتَand smell رِيحَthe scent of النَّدِّblended incense مِنْfrom تُرْبِthe dust of النَّدِthe peer
وَشَمِمْتَ رِيحَ النَّدِّ مِنْ تُرْبِ النَّدِ
If you pass the place of his tomb
When Moses saw the will in him
And smell blended incense from the dust of that peer,
The Green of reality attained the utmost goal
وَرأيتَand see أرْضاًland فِيin الفَلاthe wilderness مُخْضَرَّةًgreen
وَرأيتَ أرْضاً فِي الفَلا مُخْضَرَّةً
مُخْضَلَّةًmade moist منهاby it بِقاعُthe stretches of الفَدفَدِthe open plain
مُخْضَلَّةً منها بِقاعُ الفَدفَدِ
And see land in the wilderness turned green,
And when the ship of the young man's endeavor ruptured
The stretches of the open plain made moist by it,
For its deliverance he found sorrow other than permanent
والوحشُand wild beasts آمِنَةٌsafe لَدَيهِbeside him كَأَنَّهاas though they
والوحشُ آمِنَةٌ لَدَيهِ كَأَنَّها
حُشِرَتْwere gathered إلىinto حَرمٍa sanctuary بأَوَّلِat the first مَسْجِدِmosque
حُشِرَتْ إلى حَرمٍ بأَوَّلِ مَسْجِدِ
And the wild beasts safe beside him, as though
And the doors of the boy changed with his killing
Gathered into a sanctuary at the first mosque,
To doors kinder to his parents and more rightly guided
وَوَجدْتَand find تَعْظِيماًreverence بِقَلْبِكَin your heart لَوْif سَرَىit spread
وَوَجدْتَ تَعْظِيماً بِقَلْبِكَ لَوْ سَرَى
فيinto جَلْمَدٍa rock سَجَدَwould prostrate الوَرَىcreation لِلجَلمَدِbefore the rock
في جَلْمَدٍ سَجَدَ الوَرَى لِلجَلمَدِ
And find in your heart a reverence that, if it spread
And the collapsed wall was restored, and beneath it
Into a rock, all creation would prostrate before that rock,
The treasure of attaining eternity
فَقُلِthen say السَّلامُpeace عليكَupon you ياO بَحْرَsea of النَّدَىgenerosity الthe
فَقُلِ السَّلامُ عليكَ يا بَحْرَ النَّدَى ال
طامِيsurging وياand O بَحْرَsea of العلومِknowledge المُزْبِدِfoaming
طامِي ويا بَحْرَ العلومِ المُزْبِدِ
Then say: “Peace be upon you, O sea of generosity, the
So let Ahmed gather in estrangement and bond
Surging one, O foaming sea of knowledge!
From a cutter off, and elevation from one delaying
ياO وارثاًinheritor بالفَرْضِby allotted share عِلْمَthe knowledge of نَبِيِّهِhis prophet
يا وارثاً بالفَرْضِ عِلْمَ نَبِيِّهِ
شَرَفاًnobly وبالتَّعْصِيبِand by agnatic succession غيرَnot مُفَنَّدِreproachable
شَرَفاً وبالتَّعْصِيبِ غيرَ مُفَنَّدِ
O you who inherit your prophet’s knowledge by allotted share,
Misled by killing himself intentionally though he is not
Nobly, and by agnatic succession, beyond reproach.
Given to execution or hands
الْيَوْمَtoday أَحْمَدُAhmad مِنْfrom عَلِيٍّAli وارِثٌinherits
الْيَوْمَ أَحْمَدُ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ وارِثٌ
حَظَّيthe two shares of عَلِيٍّAli مِنْfrom وِراثَةِthe inheritance of أَحْمَدِAhmad
حَظَّي عَلِيٍّ مِنْ وِراثَةِ أَحْمَدِ
Today Ahmad inherits from Ali
God's slain without crime
Ali’s two shares in the inheritance of Ahmad.
Obligated to love the intentional killer
يُعزَىis linked الإِمامُthe imam إلَىto الإِمامِthe imam وَيَقْتَدِيand follows
يُعزَى الإِمامُ إلَى الإِمامِ وَيَقْتَدِي
للمُقْتَدىfor the one followed بِهُدَاهُin his guidance فضلُthe merit of المُقْتَدِيthe follower
للمُقْتَدى بِهُدَاهُ فضلُ المُقْتَدِي
The imam is linked to the imam and follows him;
He did not stop bending it to its disliked
The one whose guidance is followed receives the follower’s merit.
Until it became pure, the purity of tar
وَالمَرءُand a man فيin مِيراثِهِhis legacy أتْبَاعُهُhis followers
وَالمَرءُ في مِيراثِهِ أتْبَاعُهُ
فاقْدِرْso reckon إِذَنْthen فضلَthe excellence of النبيِّthe Prophet مُحَمَّدِMuhammad
فاقْدِرْ إِذَنْ فضلَ النبيِّ مُحَمَّدِ
A man’s legacy consists of his followers,
And its caller to return the straying
So reckon, then, the excellence of the Prophet Muhammad,
From its command willingly and gathering the dispersed
خيرِthe best of الوَرَىcreation صلَّىmay bless عليهhim اللَّهGod ماas long as
خيرِ الوَرَى صلَّى عليه اللَّه ما
صَدَعَcleaves الأَسَىsorrow قَلْبَاًa heart بِسَجْعِthrough the warbling of مُغَرِّدِa songbird
صَدَعَ الأَسَى قَلْبَاً بِسَجْعِ مُغَرِّدِ
Best of creation—may God bless him as long as
Piety did not leave it any habitual practice
Sorrow cleaves a heart through a songbird’s warbling,
It was accustomed to, or any condition imposed upon its sick
وسَرَىand travels السُّرُورُjoy إلَىinto القلوبِhearts فَهَزَّهاand stirs them
وسَرَى السُّرُورُ إلَى القلوبِ فَهَزَّها
مَسْرَىlike the passage of النَّسيمِthe breeze إلَىinto القَضيبِthe bough الأمْلَدِsupple
مَسْرَى النَّسيمِ إلَى القَضيبِ الأمْلَدِ
And joy travels into hearts and stirs them,
So let the chemistry of happiness Be Ahmed's pride
As the breeze travels into a supple bough.
It is sound, no fire feeds upon it
شَوْقاًin longing لِمُرْسِيَةٍfor Murcia رَسَتْanchored آساسَهاits foundations
شَوْقاً لِمُرْسِيَةٍ رَسَتْ آساسَها
بعَلِيthrough Ali أَبيAbu العَبَّاسِal-Abbas فَوْقَabove الفَرْقَدِthe pole star
بعَلِي أَبي العَبَّاسِ فَوْقَ الفَرْقَدِ
Out of longing for Murcia, whose foundations were anchored
It made him one who did not see a seeker of reality
Through Ali, Abu al-Abbas, above the pole star.
Except extending to him the comfort of one striving
اليَوْمَtoday قَامَarose فَتَىthe young follower of عَلِيٍّAli بَعْدَهُafter him
اليَوْمَ قَامَ فَتَى عَلِيٍّ بَعْدَهُ
كَيمَاso that يُبَلِّغَhe conveys مُرْشِداًas a guide عَنْfrom مُرْشِدِa guide
كَيمَا يُبَلِّغَ مُرْشِداً عَنْ مُرْشِدِ
Today Ali’s young follower has arisen after him
Everyone exhales in drinking the spirit of his knowledges
To convey guidance, guide from guide.
An intoxication like the branch of the loving vine
فكأَنَّso as though يُوشَعَYusha بعدَafter موسىMoses قائمٌstands
فكأَنَّ يُوشَعَ بعدَ موسى قائمٌ
بِطَرِيقِهِupholding his path المُثْلَىthe finest قِيامَwith the standing of مُؤَكِّدِone confirming
بِطَرِيقِهِ المُثْلَى قِيامَ مُؤَكِّدِ
As though Yusha stands after Moses,
The composure inherent in it assured its dignity
Upholding his finest path with firm confirmation.
So its drink is not fitting for the inebriate
فليقصِدِso let seek المُسْتَمْسِكُونَthose holding fast بِحَبْلِهِto his rope
فليقصِدِ المُسْتَمْسِكُونَ بِحَبْلِهِ
دارَthe abode of البقاءِpermanence مِنَby الطَّرِيقِthe path الأَقْصَدِmost direct
دارَ البقاءِ مِنَ الطَّرِيقِ الأَقْصَدِ
Let those holding fast to his rope seek
Its knowledges exposed the knowledges of others
The abode of permanence by the most direct path.
And the false is exposed by the assay of the genuine
فإذَاso if عزمْتَyou resolve علىupon اتِّباعِfollowing سَبِيلِهِhis way
فإذَا عزمْتَ على اتِّباعِ سَبِيلِهِ
فَاسْمَعْthen listen كلامَto the words of أَخِيone devoted to النَّصيحَةِsincere advice ترْشُدِyou will be guided
فَاسْمَعْ كلامَ أَخِي النَّصيحَةِ ترْشُدِ
If you resolve to follow his way,
It uncovered for him the ears from their secrets
Listen to a sincere adviser’s words, and be rightly guided.
So through his telescope existence watches
فنِظَامُfor the thread of أعْمَالِthe deeds of التُّقَىpiety آدَابُهاtheir proper manners
فنِظَامُ أعْمَالِ التُّقَى آدَابُها
فاصْحَبso accompany بهاwith them أهْلَthe people of التُّقَىpiety والسُّؤْدَدِand nobility
فاصْحَب بها أهْلَ التُّقَى والسُّؤْدَدِ
The thread of pious deeds is their proper manners;
And it showed him the reasons of destiny clearly
With these, accompany the people of piety and nobility.
To the upright through its knowledge and the atheist
وَتَجَنَّبِand avoid التَّأْوِيلَreinterpretation فيof أقْوالِthe words of مَنْthose whom
وَتَجَنَّبِ التَّأْوِيلَ في أقْوالِ مَنْ
صاحَبْتَyou accompany مِنْamong أهْلِthe people of السعادَةِblessedness تَسْعَدِyou will be blessed
صاحَبْتَ مِنْ أهْلِ السعادَةِ تَسْعَدِ
Avoid reinterpretation of the words of those
Your knowledges, O youth, do not refuse except those
You accompany among the blessed, and you will be blessed.
Which are the opening of an unseen whose opening does not err
قدْalready فرَّقَseparated التأوِيلُreinterpretation بَيْنَbetween مُقَرَّبٍone brought near
قدْ فرَّقَ التأوِيلُ بَيْنَ مُقَرَّبٍ
يَوْمَon the day of السُّجُودِprostration لآدَمٍbefore Adam ومُبَعَّدِand one cast away
يَوْمَ السُّجُودِ لآدَمٍ ومُبَعَّدِ
Reinterpretation separated one brought near
Tell those who pretended the garb of piety
On the day of prostration before Adam from one cast away.
And chose for study a thousand volumes
وَحَذارِand beware أنْlest يَثِقَtrust المُرِيدُthe seeker بِنَفْسِهِhimself
وَحَذارِ أنْ يَثِقَ المُرِيدُ بِنَفْسِهِ
وَاحْزِمْand be resolute فماfor not الإِصْلاحُsetting right شَأْنُthe task of المُفْسِدِthe corrupter
وَاحْزِمْ فما الإِصْلاحُ شَأْنُ المُفْسِدِ
Beware lest the seeker trust himself;
Do not think the kohl of eyes by trick
Be resolute: setting things right is not the corrupter’s task.
The protected were not lined with the bleary
فالوَصْفُfor the attribute يَبْقَىremains حُكْمُهُits effect مَعdespite فَقْدِهِits disappearance
فالوَصْفُ يَبْقَى حُكْمُهُ مَع فَقْدِهِ
وَالمَرْءُand a man مَرْدُودٌrejected إذَاif لَمْnot يُفْقَدِhe vanishes
وَالمَرْءُ مَرْدُودٌ إذَا لَمْ يُفْقَدِ
An attribute’s effect remains even when it disappears,
The bees, the paths of guidance did not smooth
And a man is rejected unless he vanishes.
Like the donkeys led by it to the drinking place
إنَّindeed الضَّنِينَthe one grudging بِنَفسِهِhis own self فِيupon الأرضِthe earth لاnot
إنَّ الضَّنِينَ بِنَفسِهِ فِي الأرضِ لا
يَلْوِيturns عَلَىtoward أَحَدٍanyone وليسَand is not بمُصعِدِascending
يَلْوِي عَلَى أَحَدٍ وليسَ بمُصعِدِ
The man who grudges surrendering himself upon the earth does not
One the piety dictated upon and whose hand
Turn toward anyone, nor does he ascend.
Spent from the cosmos, not from a meager portion
ويظُنُّand he thinks إنْif رَكَدَتْlies still سفينَتُهُhis ship عَلَىupon
ويظُنُّ إنْ رَكَدَتْ سفينَتُهُ عَلَى
أمْوَاجِهاits waves ورِياحِهاand its winds لَمْnot تَرْكُدِit has stopped
أمْوَاجِها ورِياحِها لَمْ تَرْكُدِ
He thinks, if his ship lies still upon
And your father, what glories he gathered supplicating
Its waves and winds, that it has not stopped.
The collection of riches by hand except Abu Al-Abbas the unique of his time
فاصْحَبْso accompany أَباAbu العَبَّاسِal-Abbas أحمدَAhmad آخِذاًtaking
فاصْحَبْ أَبا العَبَّاسِ أحمدَ آخِذاً
يَدَthe hand of عارِفٍa knower بِهَوَىof the passions of النُّفُوسِsouls مُنَجِّدِhelpful
يَدَ عارِفٍ بِهَوَى النُّفُوسِ مُنَجِّدِ
So accompany Abu al-Abbas Ahmad, taking
Honor him in his time over all unique
The hand of a helpful knower of the passions of souls.
His ambition in monotheism an ambitious achiever
فإذَاso when سَقَطْتَyou come upon عَلَىupon الخَبيرthe expert بِدَائهاin their disease
فإذَا سَقَطْتَ عَلَى الخَبير بِدَائها
فَاصْبِرْthen endure لِمُرِّthe bitterness of دَوَائِهِhis medicine وَتَجَلَّدِand be steadfast
فَاصْبِرْ لِمُرِّ دَوَائِهِ وَتَجَلَّدِ
When you come upon the expert in their disease,
Whose aims deviated from the fanatic
Endure the bitterness of his medicine and be steadfast.
Men roamed in the deserts yet he
وإذَاand when بَلَغْتَyou arrive بِمَجْمَعِat the meeting of البَحْرَيْنِthe two seas مِنْof
وإذَا بَلَغْتَ بِمَجْمَعِ البَحْرَيْنِ مِنْ
عِلْمَيْهِhis two sciences فانْقَعْthen quench غُلَّةَthe burning thirst of القَلْبِthe heart الصَّدِيthirsty
عِلْمَيْهِ فانْقَعْ غُلَّةَ القَلْبِ الصَّدِي
When you reach the meeting of the two seas of
Strolls in the kingdom of the glance of the slumbering
His two sciences, quench your thirsty heart’s burning thirst.
And he has mysteries in the ascents perilous
فَمَتىso whenever رَأىsees مُوسىthe Moses of الإِرادَةَaspiration عِندَهُbeside him
فَمَتى رَأى مُوسى الإِرادَةَ عِندَهُ
خِضرُthe Khidr of الحقيقةِreality نَالَattains أَقصىthe furthest المَقصدِgoal
خِضرُ الحقيقةِ نَالَ أَقصى المَقصدِ
Whenever he sees the Moses of aspiration beside him—
Perilous, its riding animals were not tethered
The Khidr of reality—he attains the furthest goal.
So the upright are brothers of miracles through him
وإذَاand when الفَتَىthe young man خُرِقَتْwas pierced سَفِينَةُthe ship of جِدِّهِhis earnest striving
وإذَا الفَتَى خُرِقَتْ سَفِينَةُ جِدِّهِ
لَنَجَاتِهَاto save it وجَدَhe found الأَسَىsorrow غيرَnot الدَّدِdiversion
لَنَجَاتِهَا وجَدَ الأَسَى غيرَ الدَّدِ
When a young man’s ship of earnest striving is pierced
Not everyone who rode the lions with black
To save it, he finds sorrow, not diversion.
And the highest state of one treating by protocol
وتَبَدَّلَتْand received in exchange أَبَواthe two parents of الغُلامِthe boy بِقَتْلِهِthrough his killing
وتَبَدَّلَتْ أَبَوا الغُلامِ بِقَتْلِهِ
بأبرَّone more dutiful مِنهُthan him لِوَالِدَيْهِto his parents وأَرْشَدِand better guided
بأبرَّ مِنهُ لِوَالِدَيْهِ وأَرْشَدِ
Through the boy’s killing, his two parents received in exchange
Courtesy taken to the discipline of the led by the rein
One more dutiful to his parents than he, and better guided.
So he came by the near paths its attainment
وَأُقِيمَand was raised مُنْتَقَضُthe crumbling part of الجِدارِthe wall وَتَحْتَهُand beneath it
وَأُقِيمَ مُنْتَقَضُ الجِدارِ وَتَحْتَهُ
كَنْزُthe treasure of الوُصُولِattainment إِلىof البقاءِpermanence السَّرْمَدِيeverlasting
كَنْزُ الوُصُولِ إِلى البقاءِ السَّرْمَدِي
The crumbling wall was raised, and beneath it
And the other came by the farther path
Lay the treasure of attaining everlasting permanence.
A sword of the Ansar decisive its edge
فلْيَهنِso may he rejoice جَمْعاًin union فيwithin الفِراقِseparation ووُصْلةًand connection
فلْيَهنِ جَمْعاً في الفِراقِ ووُصْلةً
مِنْfrom قاطِعٍone who severs وترَقِّياًand ascent مِنْfrom مُخْلِدِone keeping him low
مِنْ قاطِعٍ وترَقِّياً مِنْ مُخْلِدِ
May he rejoice in union within separation, and connection
So strike with it at catastrophes and threaten
From one who severs, and ascent from one who keeps him low.
I praise him outwardly and inwardly
مُغْرىًbent بِقَتْلِon killing النَّفْسِthe self عَمْداًdeliberately وهْوَyet he لاnot
مُغْرىً بِقَتْلِ النَّفْسِ عَمْداً وهْوَ لا
يُعْطَىis made to yield إلىto القَوَدِretaliatory execution القِيادَthe reins ولاnor الْيَدِthe hand
يُعْطَى إلى القَوَدِ القِيادَ ولا الْيَدِ
Bent on killing the self deliberately, yet he is not
No secret from him in sheath and bare
Made to yield reins or hand to retaliatory execution.
From a folk who supported the Prophet and preceded
للَّهِhow wondrous مَقْتُولٌone slain بِغَيرِwithout جِنايَةٍan offense
للَّهِ مَقْتُولٌ بِغَيرِ جِنايَةٍ
كَلِفٌenamored بِحُبِّof loving القاتِلِthe killer المُتَعَمِّدِdeliberate
كَلِفٌ بِحُبِّ القاتِلِ المُتَعَمِّدِ
How wondrous the one slain without offense,
With him the winds with every bare-chested pelting
Enamored of his deliberate killer!
And bent their blades and left the enemy
ماnot زالَceased يَعْطِفُهاhe bends it عَلَىtoward مَكْرُوهِهاwhat it dislikes
ما زالَ يَعْطِفُها عَلَى مَكْرُوهِها
حتَّىuntil زَكَتْit grew pure وَصَفَتْand became clear صفَاءَwith the clarity of العَسْجَدِgold
حتَّى زَكَتْ وَصَفَتْ صفَاءَ العَسْجَدِ
He kept bending it toward what it disliked
With thrusts between the armored and the mailed
Until it grew pure and clear with the clarity of gold.
The forehead of each like the morning
وأُجِيبَand was answered داعِيهاits caller لِرَدِّto bring back مُشَرَّدٍwhat had strayed
وأُجِيبَ داعِيها لِرَدِّ مُشَرَّدٍ
مِنْof أمْرِهاits affairs طَوْعَاًwillingly وَجمْعِand gather مُبَدَّدِwhat was scattered
مِنْ أمْرِها طَوْعَاً وَجمْعِ مُبَدَّدِ
Its caller was answered, to bring back what had strayed
familiar with wading into complexities
Of its affairs willingly, and gather what was scattered.
And each tawny and blue his swords:
لَمْnot تَتْرُكِleft التَّقْوَىpiety لهاfor it مِنْany عادَةٍhabit
لَمْ تَتْرُكِ التَّقْوَى لها مِنْ عادَةٍ
أُلِفَتْonce familiar ولاnor لِمَريضهاfor its sick one مِنْany عُوَّدِvisitors
أُلِفَتْ ولا لِمَريضها مِنْ عُوَّدِ
Piety left it no habit
And each white like the smooth file
Once familiar, nor any visitors for its sick one.
The day testifies for one piercing with a piercing
فَلْيَهْنِso may rejoice أَحْمَدَAhmad كيمياءُan alchemy of سَعَادَةٍhappiness
فَلْيَهْنِ أَحْمَدَ كيمياءُ سَعَادَةٍ
صَحَّتْproved sound فلاso no نارٌfire عليهupon him تَغْتَدِيcomes at dawn
صَحَّتْ فلا نارٌ عليه تَغْتَدِي
May Ahmad rejoice in an alchemy of happiness
And for a critic with a critic
Proven sound, so no fire comes upon him at dawn.
And the darkness of night burst forth from them
جَعَلَتْهُit made him لَمْnot يَرَsee لِلْحَقيقةِof reality طالباًa seeker
جَعَلَتْهُ لَمْ يَرَ لِلْحَقيقةِ طالباً
إِلَّاexcept يَمُدُّextending إليهِtoward him راحَةَthe palm of مُجْتَدِيa suppliant
إِلَّا يَمُدُّ إليهِ راحَةَ مُجْتَدِي
It made him never see a seeker of reality
Bowing, never tiring, and prostrating
Who did not extend a suppliant’s palm toward him.
The enemy feared their absence due to their presence
كلٌّeveryone يَرُوحُdeparts بِشُرْبِafter drinking راحِthe wine of عُلُومِهِhis sciences
كلٌّ يَرُوحُ بِشُرْبِ راحِ عُلُومِهِ
طَرَباًexultant كَغُصْنِlike a branch of البانَةِthe ban tree المُتأَوِّدِswaying
طَرَباً كَغُصْنِ البانَةِ المُتأَوِّدِ
Everyone departs after drinking the wine of his sciences,
And death lurks in the sheathed swords
Exultant like a swaying branch of the ban tree.
They who concealed the nakedness from the slain enemies
ضَمنَguaranteed الوقارَdignity لهاfor it اعْتدالُthe balance of مِزاجِهاits blend
ضَمنَ الوقارَ لها اعْتدالُ مِزاجِها
فَشَرَابُهاso its drink لاnot يَنْبَغِيis fit لِمُعَرْبِدِfor a riotous drunkard
فَشَرَابُها لا يَنْبَغِي لِمُعَرْبِدِ
The balance of its blend guaranteed it dignity;
The day of Hafeezhah at the purposeful canal
Its drink is not fit for a riotous drunkard.
And who stabbed the fleeing cowards, his hand enters
فَضَحَتْexposed مَعارِفُهاits insights مَعارِفَthe insights of غَيرِهاothers
فَضَحَتْ مَعارِفُها مَعارِفَ غَيرِها
والزَّيْفُand counterfeit مَفْضُوحٌexposed بِنَقْدِby testing الجَيِّدِgenuine coin
والزَّيْفُ مَفْضُوحٌ بِنَقْدِ الجَيِّدِ
Its insights exposed the insights of others;
In its bleeding tracks the place of the bandage
Counterfeit is exposed by testing genuine coin.
Ask from their progeny the way of their way
كَشَفَتْdisclosed لهُto him الأَسْماعُears عَنْof أَسرارِهاtheir secrets
كَشَفَتْ لهُ الأَسْماعُ عَنْ أَسرارِها
فإذَاand behold الوُجُودُexistence لِمقْلَتَيهِbefore his two eyes بِمَرْصَدِin view
فإذَا الوُجُودُ لِمقْلَتَيهِ بِمَرْصَدِ
Ears disclosed their secrets to him,
Ahmed guides you to the most praiseworthy path
And behold, existence lay in view before his eyes.
Raining his blessings of comfort
وأَرَتْهُand showed him أسبابَthe causes of القضاءdecree مُبِينَةًclearly
وأَرَتْهُ أسبابَ القضاء مُبِينَةً
للمستَقيمِto the upright بِعِلْمِهاin its knowledge وَالمُلْحِدِand the deviant
للمستَقيمِ بِعِلْمِها وَالمُلْحِدِ
It showed him the causes of decree, clearly,
Fresher than pouring rain and more generous
To both the upright in its knowledge and the deviant.
So the gifts of the Merciful between one eliciting
تَأبَىreject علُومُكَyour sciences ياO فَتَىyoung man غَيْرَother than التيthose which
تَأبَى علُومُكَ يا فَتَى غَيْرَ التي
هيَare فَتْحُan opening of غَيْبٍthe unseen فَتْحُهُits opening لَمْnot يُسدَدِis sealed
هيَ فَتْحُ غَيْبٍ فَتْحُهُ لَمْ يُسدَدِ
Your sciences, young man, admit none but those
From it for a hopeful and one elevated
That open the unseen, an opening never sealed.
O my Master, I am devoted to preserving his reins
قُلsay لِلَّذينَto those who تَكلَّفواaffected زِيَّthe garb of التُّقىpiety
قُل لِلَّذينَ تَكلَّفوا زِيَّ التُّقى
وَتَخيَّرواand selected لِلدَّرسِfor study أَلفَa thousand مُجَلَّدِvolumes
وَتَخيَّروا لِلدَّرسِ أَلفَ مُجَلَّدِ
Tell those who affected the garb of piety
And good assumption of him, I am his subjugated
And selected a thousand volumes for study:
My Master, none besides you have I relaxed
لاdo not تَحْسَبُواsuppose كُحْلَthe dark beauty of العُيُونِeyes بِحِيلةٍa contrivance
لا تَحْسَبُوا كُحْلَ العُيُونِ بِحِيلةٍ
إنَّindeed المَهَاthe oryx لَمْnot تَكْتَحِلْapplied kohl بالإِثْمِدِwith antimony
إنَّ المَهَا لَمْ تَكْتَحِلْ بالإِثْمِدِ
Do not think the eyes’ dark beauty is a contrivance;
The heart of the gloomy with its weight and flow
The oryx never applied antimony kohl.
So accept the meteor of religion, the excuse of apurchase
ماnot النَّحْلُthe bees ذَلَّلَتِsmoothed الهِدَايَةِguidance سُبْلَهاtheir paths
ما النَّحْلُ ذَلَّلَتِ الهِدَايَةِ سُبْلَها
مِثْلَlike الحَمِيرِdonkeys تَقُودُهاyou lead them لِلْمَوْرِدِto the watering place
مِثْلَ الحَمِيرِ تَقُودُها لِلْمَوْرِدِ
Bees whose paths guidance has smoothed are not
Chaste, conferring chastity upon the breastfeeding
Like donkeys you lead to the watering place.
Of smooth words, its composition from a perfect
مَنْone whom أَمْلَتِdictated to التَّقْوَىpiety عليهِhim وأَنْفَقَتْand spent
مَنْ أَمْلَتِ التَّقْوَى عليهِ وأَنْفَقَتْ
يَدُهُhis hand مِنَfrom الأَكوانِcreated worlds لاnot مِنْfrom مِزْوَدِa provision bag
يَدُهُ مِنَ الأَكوانِ لا مِنْ مِزْوَدِ
One to whom piety dictated, and whose hand spent
Cooler of intermingled saliva than ice
From created worlds, not from a provision bag.
The galaxy of its superiority rose with stars
وأَبِيكَby your father ماnot جَمَعَgathered المَعالِيَlofty virtues وادِعاًat ease
وأَبِيكَ ما جَمَعَ المَعالِيَ وادِعاً
جَمْعَlike totaling الأُلوفِthousands مِنَthrough الحِسابِreckoning عَلَىon اليَدِthe hand
جَمْعَ الأُلوفِ مِنَ الحِسابِ عَلَى اليَدِ
By your father, no one gathered lofty virtues at ease,
Jeweled, surrounded by the most fortunate
As thousands are totaled by reckoning on the fingers,
A rebel tried to stealthily hear from it when it came to you
إلَّاexcept أبوAbu العبَّاسِal-Abbas أَوْحَدُthe unique one of عَصْرِهِhis age
إلَّا أبو العبَّاسِ أَوْحَدُ عَصْرِهِ
أكْرِمْhow noble بهhe is فِيin عَصرِهِhis age مِنْas أَوْحَدِa unique man
أكْرِمْ به فِي عَصرِهِ مِنْ أَوْحَدِ
Except Abu al-Abbas, unique in his age.
But he did not find from it any sitting place
How noble he is, that unique man of his age!
From a fresh sweet flowing spring
أفْنَتْهُannihilated him فِيin التَّوْحِيدِdivine oneness هِمَّةُthe aspiration of ماجِدٍa noble man
أفْنَتْهُ فِي التَّوْحِيدِ هِمَّةُ ماجِدٍ
شَذَّتْeluded مَقَاصِدُهاits aims عَنِbeyond المُتَشَدِّدِthe rigid zealot
شَذَّتْ مَقَاصِدُها عَنِ المُتَشَدِّدِ
A noble man’s aspiration annihilated him in divine oneness,
Not the boiling heat that blackens faces cracked
Its aims eluding the rigid zealot.
It came to ask you for safety for a fearful one
ساحَتْwandered رجالٌmen فيin القِفَارِdeserts وإنّهwhile indeed he
ساحَتْ رجالٌ في القِفَارِ وإنّه
لَيَسِحُsurely roams فيin مَلَكُوتِthe kingdom of طَرْفٍan eye مُسْهَدِsleepless
لَيَسِحُ في مَلَكُوتِ طَرْفٍ مُسْهَدِ
Men wandered through deserts, while he
Of a lightening by his sins threatened
Surely roams the kingdom of a sleepless eye.
So assure it the attainment of the abode
ولهُand he has سرائرُinner secrets فيin العُلاthe heights خَطَّارَةٌranging
ولهُ سرائرُ في العُلا خَطَّارَةٌ
خَطَّارُهاtheir rover ورِكابُهاand their mounts لمnot تُشْدَدِwere saddled
خَطَّارُها ورِكابُها لم تُشْدَدِ
He has inner secrets ranging through the heights,
Of return, winning toward you of hearing and reciting
Their rover abroad though their mounts have not been saddled.
For if you guarantee it, it will not fear
فالمستقيمso the upright man أخوthe possessor of الكَرَامَةِa wondrous gift عندَهُto him
فالمستقيم أخو الكَرَامَةِ عندَهُ
لاnot كلُّevery مَنْone who رَكِبَrides الأُسودَlions بأسْوَدِa greater lord
لا كلُّ مَنْ رَكِبَ الأُسودَ بأسْوَدِ
The upright man, to him, is the possessor of a wondrous gift;
A shining day, or a rumbling
Not every rider of lions is a greater lord.
The position of the Prophet is ample for every disobedient
وَأجَلُّand the noblest حالِstate of مُعاملٍa spiritual practitioner تَبَعِيَّةfollowing
وَأجَلُّ حالِ مُعاملٍ تَبَعِيَّة
أُخِذَتْwas led إلىto أَدَبِthe discipline of المُرِيدِthe seeker بِمِقْوَدِby a rein
أُخِذَتْ إلى أَدَبِ المُرِيدِ بِمِقْوَدِ
The noblest state of one engaged in spiritual practice is following,
And the Excellence is more worthy of proposing the innovative
Led by a rein to the discipline of the seeker.
فأَتىso he came مِنَby الطُّرقِthe paths القَرِيبِnear مَنَالُهاtheir attainment
فأَتى مِنَ الطُّرقِ القَرِيبِ مَنَالُها
وأتىand came سِواهُothers مِنَby الطَّرِيقِthe path الأَبْعَدِmore distant
وأتى سِواهُ مِنَ الطَّرِيقِ الأَبْعَدِ
He came by paths whose attainment is near,
While others came by the more distant path.
سَيْفٌa sword مِنَfrom الأَنْصَارِthe Ansar ماضٍkeen حَدُّهُits edge
سَيْفٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ماضٍ حَدُّهُ
فاضرِبْso strike بهِwith it فيin النَّائِبَاتِcalamities وهَدِّدِand threaten
فاضرِبْ بهِ في النَّائِبَاتِ وهَدِّدِ
A sword from the Ansar, keen-edged:
Strike with it in calamities, and threaten.
أُثْنِيI praise عليهhim بِبَاطِنٍinwardly وبِظاهِرٍand outwardly
أُثْنِي عليه بِبَاطِنٍ وبِظاهِرٍ
لاno سِرَّsecret منهof him بِمُغْمَدٍsheathed ومُجَرَّدِand drawn
لا سِرَّ منه بِمُغْمَدٍ ومُجَرَّدِ
I praise him inwardly and outwardly;
No secret of him is concealed, sheathed or drawn.
مِنْfrom مَعْشَرٍa people نَصَرُواwho aided النبيَّthe Prophet وسابَقواand raced
مِنْ مَعْشَرٍ نَصَرُوا النبيَّ وسابَقوا
مَعَهُwith him الرِّيَاحَthe winds بِكلِّon every نَهْدٍtall steed أَجْرَدِsleek
مَعَهُ الرِّيَاحَ بِكلِّ نَهْدٍ أَجْرَدِ
From a people who aided the Prophet and raced
The winds with him on every tall, sleek steed.
وَثَنَوْاand turned أَعِنَّتَهُمْtheir reins وقدafter تَرَكُواthey left العِداthe foes
وَثَنَوْا أَعِنَّتَهُمْ وقد تَرَكُوا العِدا
بالطَّعْنِthrough spear-thrusts بَيْنَbetween مُجَدَّلٍone felled ومُقَدَّدِand one cut to pieces
بالطَّعْنِ بَيْنَ مُجَدَّلٍ ومُقَدَّدِ
They turned their reins after leaving their foes
Through spear-thrusts, either felled or cut to pieces.
مِنْfrom كلِّevery ذِمْرٍbrave man كالصَّبَاحِlike the morning جَبِينُهhis brow
مِنْ كلِّ ذِمْرٍ كالصَّبَاحِ جَبِينُه
ذَرِبٌkeen بِخَوْضِat plunging into المُعْضِلاتِdifficult trials مُعَوَّدِaccustomed
ذَرِبٌ بِخَوْضِ المُعْضِلاتِ مُعَوَّدِ
Every brave man’s brow was like the morning,
Keen, accustomed to plunging into difficult trials.
وبِكَلِّand with every أَسْمَرَbrown spear أَزْرَقٍblue فُولاذُهُits steel
وبِكَلِّ أَسْمَرَ أَزْرَقٍ فُولاذُهُ
وبِكُلِّand with every أَبيضَbright blade كالنَّجِيعِlike fresh blood مُوَرَّدِreddened
وبِكُلِّ أَبيضَ كالنَّجِيعِ مُوَرَّدِ
With every brown spear whose steel was blue,
And every bright blade reddened like fresh blood.
شَهِدَbore witness النَّهَارُday لِفَاضِلٍto a noble man بمُسَدَّدِthrough soundness
شَهِدَ النَّهَارُ لِفَاضِلٍ بمُسَدَّدِ
مِنْof رأيِهhis judgment ولِطاعِنٍand to a spearman بمُسَدِّدِthrough a well-aimed weapon
مِنْ رأيِه ولِطاعِنٍ بمُسَدِّدِ
Day bore witness to a noble man through the soundness
Of his judgment, and to a spearman through his well-aimed weapon.
وتَمَخَّضَتْand brought forth ظُلَمَthe darkness of اللَّيَالِيnights منهمُfrom them
وتَمَخَّضَتْ ظُلَمَ اللَّيَالِي منهمُ
عَنْforth رُكَّعٍmen bowing لاnot يَسْأَمُونَthey tire وسُجَّدِand men prostrating
عَنْ رُكَّعٍ لا يَسْأَمُونَ وسُجَّدِ
The darkness of their nights brought forth
Men bowing untiringly and prostrating.
خافَfeared العَدُوُّthe enemy مَغِيبَهُمtheir absence لِشُهُودِهِمbecause of their presence
خافَ العَدُوُّ مَغِيبَهُم لِشُهُودِهِم
والموتُand death يَكْمُنُlies hidden فِيin الحُسامِthe sword المُغْمَدِsheathed
والموتُ يَكْمُنُ فِي الحُسامِ المُغْمَدِ
The enemy feared them absent, having seen them present;
Death lies hidden in the sheathed sword.
السَّاتِرواthose covering العَوْرَاتِthe nakedness مِنْof قَتْلَىthe slain of العِداthe foes
السَّاتِروا العَوْرَاتِ مِنْ قَتْلَى العِدا
يَوْمَon the day of الحَفيظَةِfierce defense بالقَناwith lances المُتَقَصِّدِsplintered
يَوْمَ الحَفيظَةِ بالقَنا المُتَقَصِّدِ
Those covering the nakedness of slain foes
On the day of fierce defense, with splintered lances.
والطَّاعِنُواand those striking النَّجلاءَthe gaping wound يُدْخِلُputs كَفَّهُhis hand
والطَّاعِنُوا النَّجلاءَ يُدْخِلُ كَفَّهُ
فيinto إثْرِهاits track الآسيthe healer مكانَinstead of المِرْوَدِthe probe
في إثْرِها الآسي مكانَ المِرْوَدِ
Those striking gaping wounds, into whose track
The healer puts his hand instead of a probe.
سَلْask مِنْof سَلِيلِهمُtheir descendant سُلوكَhow to follow سَبيلِهِمْtheir way
سَلْ مِنْ سَلِيلِهمُ سُلوكَ سَبيلِهِمْ
يُرْشِدْكَwill guide you أحمدُAhmad للطَّرِيقِto the path الأحمدِmost praiseworthy
يُرْشِدْكَ أحمدُ للطَّرِيقِ الأحمدِ
Ask their descendant how to follow their way;
Ahmad will guide you to the most praiseworthy path.
مُسْتَمْطِراًseeking a rain of بَرَكاتِهِhis blessings مِنْfrom رَاحَةٍa palm
مُسْتَمْطِراً بَرَكاتِهِ مِنْ رَاحَةٍ
أنْدَىmore generous مِنَthan الغَيثِrain السَّكُوبِpouring وأَجْوَدِand more giving
أنْدَى مِنَ الغَيثِ السَّكُوبِ وأَجْوَدِ
Seeking a rain of his blessings from a palm
More generous and giving than pouring rain.
فَمَوَاهِبُso the gifts of الرَّحْمنِthe All-Merciful بينbetween مُصَوَّبٍwhat is sent downward
فَمَوَاهِبُ الرَّحْمنِ بين مُصَوَّبٍ
منهاamong them لِراجِيto one hoping for رحمَةٍmercy ومُصَعَّدِand what is sent aloft
منها لِراجِي رحمَةٍ ومُصَعَّدِ
The All-Merciful’s gifts are either sent downward,
Among them, to one hoping for mercy, or sent aloft.
ياO مَنْone whom أَمُتُّI am bound لهُto him بِحِفظِby honoring ذِمامِهِhis covenant
يا مَنْ أَمُتُّ لهُ بِحِفظِ ذِمامِهِ
وبِحُسْنِand by the goodness of ظنِّيmy opinion فيهِof him لِيfor me مُسْتَعْبِدِيmy enthraller
وبِحُسْنِ ظنِّي فيهِ لِي مُسْتَعْبِدِي
O you to whom I am bound by honoring his covenant,
And by my good opinion of him, my enthraller,
مَوْلايَmy master دُونَكَtake ماwhat شَرَحْتُI soothed through بِوَزْنِهِits meter
مَوْلايَ دُونَكَ ما شَرَحْتُ بِوَزْنِهِ
وَرَوِيِّهِand its rhyme قَلْبَthe heart of الكئيبِthe sorrowful الأكْمَدِthe grief-stricken
وَرَوِيِّهِ قَلْبَ الكئيبِ الأكْمَدِ
My master, take what I have used, through its meter,
And its rhyme, to soothe the heart of the sorrowful and grief-stricken.
فاقبَلso accept شِهابَShihab الدِّينِal-Din عُذْرَthe excuse of خَرِيدَةٍa secluded maiden
فاقبَل شِهابَ الدِّينِ عُذْرَ خَرِيدَةٍ
عَذْرَاءَa virgin تُزْرِيputting to shame بالعَذَارَىthe maidens النُّهَّدِfull-breasted
عَذْرَاءَ تُزْرِي بالعَذَارَى النُّهَّدِ
Accept, Shihab al-Din, the excuse of a secluded maiden,
A virgin who puts full-breasted maidens to shame.
مَعْسُولَةٍhoneyed ألفاظُهاher words مِنْfrom كامِلٍKamil
مَعْسُولَةٍ ألفاظُها مِنْ كامِلٍ
أَبرِدcool حَشىًa heart مِنْwith رِيقِهاher saliva بِمُبَرَّدِa cooling draught
أَبرِد حَشىً مِنْ رِيقِها بِمُبَرَّدِ
Honeyed in her words, in the Kamil meter;
Cool a heart with her saliva, a cooling draught.
طَلَعَتْrose مَجَرَّةُthe Milky Way of فضلهاher excellence بِكَواكِبٍwith stars
طَلَعَتْ مَجَرَّةُ فضلها بِكَواكِبٍ
دُرِّيَّةٍpearl-bright مَحْفُوفَةٍsurrounded بالأَسْعدِby the most auspicious
دُرِّيَّةٍ مَحْفُوفَةٍ بالأَسْعدِ
The Milky Way of her excellence rose with stars,
Pearl-bright, surrounded by the most auspicious.
رَامَsought اسْتِرَاقَto steal السَّمْعِa hearing منهاfrom her مارِدٌa rebellious spirit
رَامَ اسْتِرَاقَ السَّمْعِ منها مارِدٌ
لَمَّاwhen أتَتْكَshe came to you فَلَمْbut not يَجِدْhe found مِنْany مَقْعَدِseat
لَمَّا أتَتْكَ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ مِنْ مَقْعَدِ
A rebellious spirit sought to steal a hearing from her
When she came to you, but found no place to sit.
مِنْfrom مَنْهَلٍa watering place عَذْبٍsweet صَفاgrew clear سلْسَالُهُits flowing water
مِنْ مَنْهَلٍ عَذْبٍ صَفا سلْسَالُهُ
لاnot مِنْfrom صَرىًstagnant water يَشْوِيscorching الوُجُوهَfaces مُصَرَّدِchilled
لا مِنْ صَرىً يَشْوِي الوُجُوهَ مُصَرَّدِ
From a sweet watering place whose flowing water grew clear,
Not chilled stagnant water that scorches faces.
بَعَثَتْsent إليكَto you بهاher بواعِثُthe impulses of خاطِرٍa mind
بَعَثَتْ إليكَ بها بواعِثُ خاطِرٍ
مُتَحَبِّبٍseeking affection لِجَنابِكُمْfrom your presence مُتَوَدِّدِcourting friendship
مُتَحَبِّبٍ لِجَنابِكُمْ مُتَوَدِّدِ
The impulses of a mind sent her to you,
Seeking your affection, courting your presence.
صادَفْتُI found دُرّاًpearls مِنْamong صِفاتِكَyour qualities مُثْمَناًprecious
صادَفْتُ دُرّاً مِنْ صِفاتِكَ مُثْمَناً
فأَعَرْتُهُso I lent them منِّيfrom myself صفَاتِthe skills of مُنَضِّدِa pearl-stringer
فأَعَرْتُهُ منِّي صفَاتِ مُنَضِّدِ
I found precious pearls among your qualities,
And lent them my skill as a pearl-stringer.
جاءتْshe came تُسَائِلُكَasking you الأمانَfor safety لِخائفٍfor a frightened man
جاءتْ تُسَائِلُكَ الأمانَ لِخائفٍ
مِنْfrom رِبْقَةٍa noose بِذُنُوبِهِbecause of his sins مُتَوَعِّدِunder threat
مِنْ رِبْقَةٍ بِذُنُوبِهِ مُتَوَعِّدِ
She came asking you for safety for a frightened man,
From a noose, threatened because of his sins.
فاضْمَنْso guarantee لهاfor her دَرْكَattainment of المعادِthe final return ضمانَهاas her guarantee
فاضْمَنْ لها دَرْكَ المعادِ ضمانَها
بالفَوْزِof triumph عنكَthrough you لِسَامِعٍfor a listener وَلِمُنْشِدِand for a reciter
بالفَوْزِ عنكَ لِسَامِعٍ وَلِمُنْشِدِ
Guarantee her attainment of the final return, as she guarantees
Triumph through you to listener and reciter.
فإذاso if ضَمِنْتَyou guarantee لهُfor him فليسَthen he is not بِخائِفٍafraid
فإذا ضَمِنْتَ لهُ فليسَ بِخائِفٍ
مِنْof مُبْرِقٍa lightning-flasher يَوْماًever ولاnor مِنْof مُرْعِدِa thunderer
مِنْ مُبْرِقٍ يَوْماً ولا مِنْ مُرْعِدِ
If you give him your guarantee, he will not fear
Any lightning-flasher, ever, or any thunderer.
جاهُthe standing of النبيِّthe Prophet لِكُلِّfor every عاصٍsinner واسِعٌample
جاهُ النبيِّ لِكُلِّ عاصٍ واسِعٌ
والفضلُand bounty أَجدرُmore suited باقتراحِto the request of المُجتَدِيthe suppliant
والفضلُ أَجدرُ باقتراحِ المُجتَدِي
The Prophet’s standing is ample for every sinner,
And bounty is most suited to a suppliant’s request.
Partial English translation: 225 of 282 Arabic lines translated.